Kiwi teams won't be caught cold

Published: Tuesday, 6. December, 2011 in category Super Rugby

All the Kiwi teams have confirmed some Super Rugby pre-season warm-up friendlies ahead of their grueling 2012 campaigns in the tough southern hemisphere competition.

According to allblacks.com there are eight confirmed matches with all teams playing each other while the only non-kiwi combatant will see the Melbourne Rebels entertain the Chiefs and Crusaders.

The matches will offer fans the opportunity to see some of the All Blacks in the colors of their new sides, with Ma'a Nonu and Piri Weepu now at the Blues, Sonny Bill Williams and Aaron Cruden at the Chiefs, while veteran hooker Andrew Hore will turn out for the Highlanders.

Interestingly all five New Zealand franchises will be in action the weekend before the Super Rugby competition gets underway on February 24.

The 2012 competition begins when the Blues tackle the Crusaders at Eden Park.

New Zealand pre-season fixtures:

February 3

Rebels v Chiefs - Skilled Stadium
Crusaders v Highlanders - Rugby Park Greymouth

February 4

Blues v Hurricanes - Whangarei

February 11

Highlanders v Chiefs - Queenstown
Hurricanes v Crusaders - Mangatainoka

February 17

Blues v Highlanders - tbc
Rebels v Crusaders - tbc
Chiefs v Hurricanes - Taupo